HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Crestwood Medical Center has received a special recognition from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

The health insurance giant has named Crestwood a "Blue Distinction Center+" in the areas of spine surgery and knee and hip replacement. According to a news release, medical providers with the "Blue Distinction" label "have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality specialty care."

"We are honored to once again be identified by Blue Cross and Blue Shield as a facility that demonstrates expertise in knee and hip replacement and spine surgery," said Susan Bryce, Crestwood's assistant chief nursing officer. "Meeting Blue Cross and Blue Shield's quality, safety, and efficiency standards is certainly an accomplishment that our team is proud of.

"Our physicians consider this unique partnership to be an integral part of our mission to strive to always deliver quality patient care," said Bryce.

The news release said "Blue Distinction Centers+" have demonstrated better quality and improved patient outcomes, with lower rates of complications and readmissions.